The Key West Citizen App Feed2020-02-17T15:00:25-05:0011856536Conchs win via forfeits, again2020-02-17T06:01:49-05:00Unable to travel in the regular-season opener due to the flu, Key West High tennis coach Paul Findlay still procured parents to drive the team north on U.S. 1 to Founders Park to take on St. Brendan Thursday afternoon.

The trip was worth it for the Lady Conchs, as the Sabres sent a full squad for the girls matchup, which Key West won 4-3, but for the boys, for the second straight match including the preseason, only a portion of the team was able to get on the court as St. Brendan had only two players present.

“I don’t know if this is going to be an issue,” said Findlay. “We might have to start checking to see if they have full squads before we send them all.”

Those boys who did have an opportunity to play were successful, as the Conchs won the match 8-0. Robert Malcolm won the battle between No. 1s, 8-4, while Ian Wilcox claim an 8-1 win at No. 2. Michael Booker and Ray LaBeet teamed to win the doubles match, 8-0.

“Obviously, by default, the boys won, but really it didn’t do much to help us because I want to get them experience for the players,” said Findlay.

The Sabres did travel with enough girls to make a full squad and were able to challenge the Lady Conchs. For Key West, Jess Brady claimed a win at No. 1, 8-5, as did Sophia Mansour at No. 2, 8-1, and Isabella Johnson, making her varsity debut, won 8-1 at No. 5. Mansour and Brady seal the victory with an 8-4 victory at No. 1 doubles.

“It was good because we got to play some new people,” said Findlay. “Going forward I think they are just going to keep getting better because they will get over the jitters. I think they did that against St. Brendan.”

Key West is back in action today in Marathon. In the first meeting , in the preseason, the Dolphins had only three boys and three girls travel to the Conchs’ campus.

“I’m going to call them to make they will have enough, so we know how many drivers to get and how may vans to rent,” said Findlay. “Obviously the kids also have to get out of school, but the bottom line is really we want to play and get experience. They really need the matches.”

jwcooke@keysnews.com

]]>2020-02-17T00:00:00-05:001BY J.W. COOKE
Key West Citizen
Unable to travel in the regular-season opener due to the flu, Key West High tennis coach Paul Findlay still procured parents to drive the team north on U.S. 1 to Founders Park to take on St. Brendan Thursday afternoon.The trip was worth it for the La